In less than two-weeks, there have been three robbery events that led to murders. The first was at Gracie Rock two weekends ago when 26-year-old Denver Montero was killed by robbers who targeted the group he was with. The second incident was an aggravated burglary this past Sunday in San Ignacio that left 72-year-old William Smith dead. And last night, here in Belize City, a robbery led to the murder of 35-year-old Jose Antonio Lopez.
Lopez was a vendor who sold his fruits and vegetables in Belmopan and Belize City, but lived tucked away in Valley of Peace. He was a hardworking father of four, so his family never thought he would meet his demise at the end of a gun.
Courtney Menzies travelled west today and spoke with his sister. Here is that story.
For the past 17 years, 35-year-old Jose Antonio Lopez was a produce vendor who only travelled to the city a couple of times a week, usually retreating to the safety of his rural home in Valley of Peace.
But before he could get back to the village, he was gunned down right on Barbara Harris Street in Belize City.
His life was ruthlessly taken away after he was targeted by robbers. But Lopez didn't go down without a fight, and it was during the struggle that he was killed.
His family had no idea what had happened until his sister was called to identify the body.
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"I received a call last night around 12:00 asking if I was a relative to… they didn't know the name so they wanted- apparently they found my number on his phone so they were trying to find any relative they could have called so I received the call so I went to Belize City and recognized the body. Basically they're saying it was robbery."
Courtney Menzies:
"And your brother, he lives in Belize City?"
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"No, he lives here in Valley of Peace."
Courtney Menzies:
"But he works there?"
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"He goes two times for the week to go sell vegetables. He's not in gangs, he's a husband, goes to work, comes back home to his kids, and that's it."
Courtney Menzies:
"And do you know, or have police said what all was stolen from him?"
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"Yes, his wallet, along with his licensed firearm."
Courtney Menzies:
"Did he keep a firearm because he felt unsafe?"
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"I guess it's because of the job he used to do, he always used to have money on him."
And just like that, a savage crime of opportunity has taken a father away from his four kids - the youngest only a year old. Lopez's sister said that the grief has settled heavily over the family.
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"The way I see it, for them it's like a dream, they cannot believe it, I know it's going to be hard when they bring the body and they get to see their dad in a casket."
"His kids was everything for him, he was so loving, caring, he's the youngest in my family, a family of five… it's very hard, words can't explain how we feel right now. We will never get over this."
"We still can't believe this happened, we didn't think that one day, gun violence would come knocked at our door since we were so far from the city."
Courtney Menzies:
"Do you believe that you'll get justice?"
Voice of: Maria Lopez, Sister of Deceased
"Definitely, that's all we need, justice, this cannot be another unsolved crime."
And Lopez is hoping that the cameras in the area will lead to her brother's killers.
Police have surveillance video of the scene and the murder and are trying to sharpen it so that they can come up with a picture of the suspect.
